Bwana Charlie in Amsterdam

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Bwana Charlie powered past favored Pomeroy to win the Grade 2, $150,000 on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course by three-quarters of a length.

Bwana Charlie, a 3-year-old colt trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Shane Sellers, was last early while lingering far off quick early fractions in the six-furlong race. He began making his move around the far turn, and then drove hard the length of the stretch to pass five horses in the seven-horse field. Weigelia finished a non-threatening third.

Bwana Charlie paid $9.40 to win. The exacta was $28.80, and the trifecta was $145.

The victory was the second graded-stakes win for Bwana Charlie, who took the Grade 3 Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland on April 4 of this year. In his last start, he finished third behind Weigelia and Classy Migration in the Grade 3 Carry Back Stakes at Calder Race Course after a two-month layoff.

Classy Migration set the early pace in the Amsterdam, carving out a first quarter in 21.98. Longshot Quick Action took over in the second quarter in 44.69, and then Pomeroy surged to the lead before being worn down by Bwana Charlie in the last 100 yards. Final time for the race was 1:09.40, the fastest six furlongs on the card.

Bwana Charlie, by Indian Charlie out of the Halo mare Shahalo, is owned by the Heiligbrodt Stable.